RSF accuses SAF of arming civilians in Al Jazira

PORT SUDAN – Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of orchestrating a plan to arm civilians in Al Jazira State, potentially fueling further violence between local communities and RSF forces.

Al-Basha Tabiq, a senior RSF commander’s advisor, claimed that senior Sudanese officials are coordinating a campaign to place citizens directly in conflict with the RSF, part of what he called a “dangerous plan” led by military intelligence, the General Intelligence Service (GIS), and the Al Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, with orders allegedly coming from SAF leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Islamists.

Tabiq made the accusations on X, alleging that meetings of a security committee in Al Jazira’s Managil town had authorized the arming of citizens in specific areas, including North and Central Al-Jazirah, Al-Hasaheisa, and Abu Qota.

“A dangerous plan aims to arm the citizens of the villages of North and Central Al-Jazeera, Al-Hasahisa, and Abu Qota,” Tabiq stated. “The Military Intelligence, General Intelligence Service, and the terrorist Al-Baraa Brigades are carrying out this plan under the direction of Al-Burhan and the leadership of the Islamic Movement.”

The RSF claims this strategy replicates what it describes as an “East Al Jazira scenario,” arming communities in a way that risks pushing civilians into direct clashes with RSF troops.

“These evil plans were provided to international organizations and embassies so that the international community would know and discover what Al-Burhan, and the terrorist groups are doing,” Tabiq continued, asserting that the SAF and Islamic Movement leadership aimed to manipulate global opinion by framing the RSF as responsible for the ensuing violence.

Sudans Post could not independently verify the RSF claims, but it comes less than a week after the head of the military and de facto leader of Sudan, Al-Burhan, promised during a visit to Eastern Jazira’s Butana to arm “any person who is able to carry a gun” to fight the RSF.

This came amid an upsurge in violence in Al Jazira State, with the RSF attacking around 63 villages over the past week, killing hundreds of civilians, and forcing thousands from their homes. RSF combatants have committed sexual violence and mass killings in Eastern Al Jazira Locality, which have shocked the world, including the United States, who has strongly condemned the atrocities by the paramilitary group.

On Thursday, U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello condemned the RSF’s actions, in a brief social media statement posted on his official X account. Perriello warned that the world power was watching and monitoring the reports.

“We are monitoring the shocking reports of RSF atrocities against Sudanese civilians across Al Jazeera state, including rape and the killing of children,” Perriello said, calling on the RSF to halt its attacks on civilians and to respect commitments made under the ALPS Code of Conduct and the Jeddah Declaration.